South American ports report growth in cargo and export volumes

Port activity is seeing significant shifts and growth across South American maritime hubs. In Argentina, the province of Buenos Aires reported its best export performance since 2019 during the first quarter of 2026. This growth was driven by a 29.7% increase in grain exports, an 87.4% rise in crude oil, and an 18.1% increase in value-added products in containers. Additionally, the government of Santa Fe is pursuing a strategy to transform Rosario into a major mining port to capture the flow of lithium and copper exports.

In Peru, the Ministry of Transport and Communications reported that public port infrastructure moved 35.1 million metric tons in the first half of 2026, a 6.5% increase from the previous year. Containerized cargo led this volume at 53.6%, followed by solid and mineral bulks. Key operators such as DP World Callao and APM Terminals Callao remain central to this movement.

Labor trends also show regional variation. In the Argentine province of Neuquén, formal private sector employment grew by 7.6% between December 2023 and May 2026, adding nearly 12,000 jobs and leading the country in formal employment growth.